Adriannu255: Another napkin gimmick my friend requested to be posted.

Adriannu: I can't think of anything!
(door bangs open; enter Reyson)
Reyson: (sits down and pulls A on his lap) So, gorgeous, how are you today? (caresses A's cheek and pulls her closer)
A: What are you doing?! (pushes away from R)
R: What's wrong?
A: What's wrong? WHAT'S WRONG!
R: (hugs A tightly) I just want to be with you; why are you so mean? (starts crying)
A: Um… I'm sorry. (hugs R back)
(door bangs open; enter Cedric)
Cedric: No, Adi! How could you do this to me! I thought you loved me! (sits and pulls A onto his lap)
A: (in mind) Oh-no…
(R and C stand and start fighting over A; R accidently gropes A)
A: (eyes widen in surprise then narrow in anger) … (pushes 'security' button)
(Carolyn walks in knocks out both Cedric and Reyson)
A: Thanks, Carolyn. (kicks R)

Adriannu255: Wow! Ten chapters! Yay! Thanks for your continued support guys!

Disclaimer: Same.

Chapter 10: Forgiveness and the Palace

In the forest…

Things between Ike and Soren had become awkward and tense. Everyone knew what had happened, and no one voiced whose side they were on, thinking it best not to get anymore involved than they already were… All the newcomers were trying to come to terms with the fact that Soren, Prince of Daein, was a very valuable ally if they wanted to have even the slightest chance of achieving peace after the war.

Soren instead of walking, took to the skies on Midnight, flying overhead scouting for any possible ambushes. Ike kept trying to think of a way to apologize to Soren and repair what small amount of friendship they had before he had destroyed it. But he could not think of anything. He would have to keep trying though.

Everyone was able to act at least half-normal, even Soren, although he was completely silent during the trek through the forest… It was on the third night of the seven-day hike that Soren's voice was heard a short distance from where they were camped. The beorc could just barely hear him, but to the laguz his words were as clear as if he was standing right next to them.

"What do I have to do to prove myself to them? It's as if Commander Greil's death made Ike, and maybe some of the others, realize how much they really don't trust me."

Lethe began to stand up, but stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw Ike shake his head at her. She understood and sat back down striking up a conversation with the rest of the company.

-

Ike slowly made his way over. "Soren?"

Recognizing the voice, Soren didn't turn around. "What?" he growled.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Ike asked, barely above a whisper.

"Why would you want to do that?" the prince spat out angrily. "Aren't I a Daein spy trying to lure you all to your deaths?"

"Soren, I'm sorry!" Ike pleaded for the young royal to forgive him. "I don't know what else I can say! If I had known that you were there I wouldn't have said what I did!"

"But that doesn't change the fact that you said it, Ike…"

Ike thought the words would have been shouted, but they weren't. They were said so quietly and filled with pain and sadness. "Soren--"

"Ike," he spoke with a reasonable tone now, "thank you, for apologizing, but just give me some time to just try and…put this behind me, okay?"

"R-really?" Ike's eyes widened. "You're willing to forgive me?"

Soren turned his head and nodded silently, his expression completely neutral.

-

Seven days later…

They finally arrived at Gallia Palace. They had only one battle along the way, but the Daeins that attacked were easily taken care of by Soren's massive tornados, much to the astonishment of everyone who hadn't seen him do it back in Crimea. Though he had frightened the newest member of the group, a young pegasus knight named Marcia who had joined them during the battle, right after Mist and Rolf practically forced Ike, Oscar, and Boyd to allow them to fight. Marcia was a former member of Begnion's Holy Guard, who Ike, Titania, Shinon, and Gatrie had saved from pirates weeks past, so no one objected to her joining.

The mercenaries were led into the throne room by their escorts and were greeted by a familiar face. "My lord Ike! Soren! Everyone!" Princess Elincia cried when she spotted them. She ran as fast as her dress allowed, and made her way over to them.

"Elincia!" Soren sighed in relief that she was alright.

"Princess," Ike nodded to the girl.

"I…heard about…Commander Greil…" She closed her eyes in remorse. "I don't know what to say…"

"Don't worry, Princess Elincia, we're all getting by…somehow…"

A laguz guard announced that the king had arrived.

Soren amazingly restrained himself from laughing at Ike's greeting to the king. "Um… Hey there." He must have been taken by surprise by the king's size. He was quite huge. And it looked to be all muscle!

"Thank you all for coming," the king greeted them formally. After Ike and the king exchanged greetings, Caineghis sent Mordecai and Lethe to prepare rooms for the group, and Ike sent everyone except for Elincia, Titania, and Soren out to wait.

When Ike had mentioned him, Soren blanched, but King Caineghis stared for a moment then sent him a gentle, reassuring smile. After a long discussion about Ike's family and about Elincia going to Begnion to get the aid she needed, the meeting was finally concluded. Except for one thing.

"Ike," Caineghis called as they began to leave.

"Yes, King Caineghis?"

"Would you mind if I spoke with…Soren, was it?" Caineghis looked at Soren.

"M-me, Your Highness?" Soren stammered.

Caineghis nodded silently. Ike looked at Soren for a moment, nodded and left with Titania and Elincia.

"Giffca, leave us," Caineghis dismissed his shadow. Soren had a feeling he knew what was coming.

"You are different from the others," Caineghis said softly.

"Yes…" Soren whispered.

"I am not talking about just your brand," Caineghis laughed slightly.

Soren's head shot up so quickly he almost gave himself whiplash. "W-what?"

Caineghis' smile widened. "When one royal meets another, it is almost unmistakable. Your stance, the way you carry yourself, the way you speak… It's just like a beorc noble."

Soren stared at Caineghis in partial fear. He knew…

"Which country?" the king asked when Soren didn't speak.

Soren, knowing he shouldn't hide anything from the king, confessed in a whisper, "Daein…" Caineghis frowned at that nodding silently, as though he already knew, "…and Goldoa…" Soren finished.

Caineghis went completely still and blinked a few times before he asked, "Could you repeat that…?"

"Daein and Goldoa," Soren repeated clearly.

To say that Caineghis was shocked would be the understatement of the century. Caineghis didn't even know what he was… If what the prince just said was true, that meant… "Are you saying that Goldoa has secretly allied with Daein behind our backs?"

Adriannu255: EDIT: Yay another edit! Not going to say much except that I hope this is better than the original!

Soren/ Elincia: 11
Ike/Elincia: 9
Soren/Lethe: 9
Soren/Ilyana: 4
Zihark/Lyre: 4
Soren/Micaiah: 2
Leanne/Shinon: 2
Ike/Mia: 1
Soren/Mia: 1
Jill/Janaff: 1